Ben Lepper ‘25
Editor-in-Chief
When I started writing for The Spire in September 2021, I’d have told you that I was writing because I loved sports. And, while that’s true (and partially why this article is appearing in the Sports section), I’ve come to realize that the reason why I started writing is a little bit different.
I wrote because I loved to write. I still write because I love to write. And, as I reflect on the past four years I’ve spent with The Spire, it’s going to be really hard to say goodbye to something that I’ve loved so much.
Last year, in my final column as Chief Sports Editor, I detailed why I loved that position so much, so I won’t talk about that. This year, in my final column as Editor-in-Chief, I want to detail why I consider joining The Spire as a freshman as the best decision I made at Holy Cross.
Without this paper, I would never have truly unlocked this passion I have for writing. Not just writing, but telling stories that mean something to people, tell stories that could be a possible driver of local, federal, social, and campus-wide change. As many of you know, my life almost ended in 2019 with a leukemia diagnosis. In that hospital bed, I made a promise to myself that, if I survived, I’d do whatever I could with my second chance at life to positively impact the world around me. I consider this promise to be the driving force behind everything I’ve done since then.
I devoted myself to telling stories about student-athletes, representing them on the page as people rather than just numbers on a jersey. I dedicated myself to sharing important stories in the sports world, many of them hard to talk about, hoping to get more and more people to realize why we need to talk about the bad alongside the good. And, as Editor-in-Chief, I made it very clear that, with the time I had left, I would use my voice in a manner that could positively impact the lives of those around me.
This year, I made it a priority for this paper to re-affirm itself as the voice of the student body. Everyone has a place here, regardless of who they were or what they believed in. If someone had a problem with something going on here, at the campus they’ve chosen to spend four years at, they should have the ability to voice it. To put my money where my mouth was, I made sure to do this. I’ve received some criticism recently for “throwing softballs” and not being critical in my position. Clearly, you have not been keeping up. My first piece of the year criticized the bizarre launch of the Holy Cross Hazy IPA, and my first Op-Ed of this semester condemned the parking crisis here. I’ve created interview questions for the administration and other guests in a manner that are respectful while simultaneously goading out crucial answers.
And, when a decision was made by those above us that would negatively impact our lives as students, I made it our top priority to find out more, to speak about it, and to give students all around campus a way to get their voices heard. Kate Santini and I spent hours on our investigative work surrounding the FLA program’s rumored shutdown in January, and were honored to be able to break the news that it was staying. We spent similar time investigating next year’s first-year housing as well just a few weeks ago. These are things that we, as students, deserve to have a say in. Being able to empower others to speak up might just be the thing I’m going to miss most about The Spire.
Of course, none of this would have been possible without the incredible staff we had this year, and will continue to have next year. The Spire will be in very good hands. Ashwin Prabaharan and Will McHale are going to be phenomenal Chief Editors, and all of the section chiefs are going to do such an amazing job. I promise I’ll be proudly watching from the sidelines.
At the end of the day, this paper staff has turned into so much more than just a paper staff: this year, it’s felt like a real family. We’ve all become so close this year, and I wouldn’t change that for the world. I specifically want to shout out my incredible Co-Chief Editor Nathan Howard, an incredible writer and even more incredible roommate and friend. And to Kate, Alexandra, Ashwin, Viveca, Will, Mack, Aiden, Meredith, Sabine, Sophia, Charlotte, Molly, Elizabeth, and everybody else who I’ve gotten to know in the past few years, I’ve appreciated you all more than you could know. I’m honored to call you all my (hopefully lifelong) friends.
As I look back on the past four years, I can’t help but wonder what I would’ve thought if I could’ve seen in the future after I made that promise in my hospital bed. I think I’ve made my past self proud. And, more than anything, I’ve found my true calling in life: being able to tell stories that really mean something to people. Being able to use my voice to help change the world. Even though my time here has come to an end, I do not plan on stopping.
When I sat down with Dr. Anthony Fauci in March, there’s one thing he said about the legacy he wanted to leave behind that really stuck with me: he said he wanted people to know that he left it all out there. And, as I prepare to move on into the next chapter of my life, I want people to remember that about me, as well. I gave it my all. I left it all out on the court. And, as the great Frank Sinatra once said, I did it my way.
Thank you for reading. It’s been an honor.
Featured image courtesy of Ben Lepper ’25
Web Edited by Zexuan Qu ’28
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